Barbara L. DeBono

Barbara (Gaudet) DeBono, age 93, of Fitchburg, MA passed away peacefully at her home on May 9, 2026. Born in Leominster, MA on March 3, 1933, her birth date – 3/3/33 – was a source of wonder to all who discovered it, much to her amusement. She was the last surviving of ten children raised by Adolph & Diana (Porter) Gaudet and had a special bond with her father that warmed her throughout her life.

Barbara will be remembered as a consummate homemaker, and all were welcome to her home for a meal or a piece of her famous crazy cake and a bed if needed. She was a second mother to many of her children’s friends. She was an avid knitter and crocheter and created hundreds of beautiful pieces for family, friends and anyone she heard of who was having a baby. She loved babies and enjoyed making sweaters for them until the week she passed.

A true jack-of-all-trades, Barbara did everything from wallpapering and painting, mowing the lawn and snow blowing to sledgehammering walls. She loved to tell the story of how she was given a tool belt and dubbed “Barb Vila”.

Barbara’s greatest passion was for her children and grandchildren. She took them to classes and lessons and attended every recital, play and fair. She went to every game and cheered their teams as though they were the Red Sox in the World Series! While she wouldn’t brag, it was clear to see how proud she was of each of them.

She is survived by her children, Diane DeBono Schafer and her husband David, Debbie Alario, Greg DeBono, Julie DeBono, Pam Bernard and her husband Mark and Doug DeBono and his wife Samantha as well as her grandchildren, Jessica Alario and her husband Eric Luciano, Sydney Fortier and her husband John DeNapoli, Alex Fortier and his fiancée Courtney McMahon, Dominic Bernard and his fiancée Chloe Esposito, Betame DeBono, Tesfanesh DeBono, Soleil DeBono, Julian DeBono and Devyn DeBono.

Though she is no longer physically with us, her love will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, May 18th from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Brandon Funeral Home; 305 Wanoosnoc Rd. Fitchburg, MA. 

A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, May 19th at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 1400 Main St. Leominster, MA.

 A burial will follow at St. Bernard Cemetery; St. Bernard St. & Harvard St, Fitchburg, MA 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 4550 Montgomery Ave. Suite 1100 N Bethesda, MD 20814.